Cash-for-vote: HC reserves order on Reddy’s bail plea

The Hyderabad High Court today reserved till June 30 its order on the bail applications of Telangana TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy and two other accused in the cash-for-vote case.

The high court heard the arguments of the defence and prosecution and reserved its judgement on their petitions.

Earlier, the special court for ACB cases had rejected the bail pleas of Reddy and two others.

Subsequently, Reddy, the prime accused in the case, along with two other accused, moved the Hyderabad High Court seeking bail on June 15. Reddy contended before the high court that it is a politically motivated case and he is being falsely implicated.

During arguments, the defence counsel today contended that their clients have already served 25 days in custody and asserted that all evidence in the case was collected and there was no question of tampering.

However, Telangana Advocate General Ramakrishna Reddy, who represented ACB, opposed the bail applications stating that the source of Rs 4.5 crore funds was yet to be ascertained and apprehended tampering of evidence.

“He (Reddy) is an MLA and an influential person, representing from a party (TDP), which is in power in the neighbouring (Andhra Pradesh) state,” the AG contended, adding the FSL report pertaining to audio-video recordings in the case was still awaited and many witnesses also needed to be examined.

Earlier, Telangana nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson had lodged a complaint with ACB alleging that he was offered Rs 5 crore by the TDP MLA to vote in favour of a Telugu Desam MLC nominee in Telangana Legislative Council polls held on June 1.

Subsequentally, ACB had arrested Revanth along with Bishop Harry Sebastian and R Uday Simha on May 31, while they were paying an alleged bribe of Rs 50 lakh to Stephenson.

Revanth Reddy and two other accused are presently under judicial custody till June 29 and lodged in Cherlapally Central Prison here.